Switching apparatus.



M. S. CONNER.

SWITCHING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY19, 1904.

926,175. Patented June29, 1909.

M32 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

M. S. CONNER.

SWITCHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1904.

926,175. Patented June 29, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, CUNITED STATES PATENT onnron.

MERRITT S. OONNER, or ROCHESTER, NEW Your. ASSIGNOR To SlROMBERtt-GARLSOl OFIINE'W YORK.

TELEPHONE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ltOCIIlQS'llfilt. NEW YORK, A CORPORAlIOh SWITCHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1909.

Application filed May 19, 1904. Serial No. 208,685.

ing apparatus and is particularly well adapted for use in conjunction with so-called party line selective ringing or telephone exchangesystems and I shall, therefore, explain'my invention in connection with an embodiment particularly well adapted for use in thismanner.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art, itis now a frequent practice to proside a telephone line leading to a central station with a )lurality of subscribers telephone sets. Vhen four such subscribers substations are equipped, it is usual to con- 'nect the signaling apparatus, such, for in stance, as the signal bell, at two of the stations between one'of a pair of bimetallic line limbs and the ground, while the signaling apparatus at ,the other two stations is connected between the other line limb and the ground. The signaling devices at the substationsconn'ectcd with the same line limb are adapted to be operated by signaling currents of different electricaL character, for instance, one of the bells is adapted to be operated by an alternating current only, while the other is arranged to be operated by a direct current only. \Yhen such '1nultiparty lines are connected with a telephone cxchange,'it is desirable to provide the tele phone operator with a switching device by means of which she can signal any one of the parties connected with a given line without. signaling the others connected with the same l'ine,and in so doing it is desirable that after havin once operated the signal controlling and switching mechanism .she may be able to ascertain later on from an inspection of the signal controlling apparatus which one of the substations has been called.

nected with the ground at G.

My invention, as above stated, relates to such a ringing key as may an operator forthis purpose.

My invention Wlll' be more readily understood by reference, to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates in side elevation a four-party line ringing key constructed in accordance with my invention, parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the details of construction, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, Fig. 3 a cross sectional view taken on line 3, 3 of Fig. 1, Fig.4 illustrates the circuit connections of the keys when as sociated with an operators cord'circuit, and Fig. 5 shows a modified form of button which may be employed.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 4, I shall point out in the usual way the purposes for which this embodiment of my invention is intended. There are illustrated an answering plug 11, and a calling plug 12, the tip contacts 13 and 1.1 of these plugs being connected by means of a tip strand 15, while the sleeve contacts 16 and 17 are connected by means of the sleeve strand 18. An

operators listcning'kcy is provided at 19.

this key comprising the springs 20 and 21, normally out of engagement respectively with the contacts 22 and 23 to which the conductors 9 c and 25 leadto the operator's teleph'oneset in the -wcll known manner. l have shown four ringing keys in association with this cord circuit. The first key, which in general is designated by the character A. comprises movable contact. springs 26 and 97,.thc actuation of which will be more clearly understood hereinafter. These movable contact springs normally make clcc trical connection with inner contact springs 28 and 29, respectively, these contacts being connected with the listening key to maintain normally the continuity of the cord strands. The outer contact spring 30 is.connected with one pole of the source of alternating current. 31, the other pole of which is con- The other outer contact spring 39 of the pair is connected dircctl withground G, as shown. Upon manipulhting the movable springs 26 be employed by and 27 to change their electrical connections from the inner to the outer contact"spi ings, the source of alternating current 31 is connected with the tip strand leading to the tip contact 14 of the calling plug, while ground is connected with the sleeve strand leading to I other signal device connected between the tip line limb and ground, this signaling device being constructed in such a way that it will beactuated by an alternating current from the source 31. The second key B, comprising movable springs and 34, inner springs 35 and 36 and outer springs 37 and 38, serves when actuated to connect the source of direct current 39 between the ground G and the tip line limb, while-the sleeve line limb is grounded through the outer contact 38. While I have described in this connection one source of alternating current and a second source of direct current, it will be understood that the keys may be used for connecting sources of current dilfering in any desired electrical characteristic with the line. -Thus may be employed sources of alternating currents of different, frequency or ulsating currents of different frequency or iiferent polarity. Indeed, theringing key of my invention may be utilized in conjunction with almost all forms of multiparty line selective signaling apparatus.

The key C comprises movable contact -springs 40 and 41, inner contact springs 42 and 43 and outer contact springs 44 and 45.

A manipulation of this key, as will be un-- derstood, serves to connect the source of alternating current 46 between the ground (i and the sleeve line limb by way of the sleeve contact 17 of the calling plug 12. At the same time, the other outer contact 44 may, if desired, serve to connect the tip line limb with the ground G.

The ringing key D comprises the movable contact springs 47 and 48, the inner contact springs 49 and 50 and the outer contact springs 51 and 52. A manipulation of this key D serves to connect the source of direct current 53 between the ground and the sleeve limb of the line, thetip line limb being grounded in the manner heretofore described. The sources of current marked 31 and 46 may or may not be the same generator and in the same way the sources marked '39 and 53 may or may not be the same source of direct current. The number of keys employed may be added to if desired or, as in some cases wili be sufficient, but one key for each side of the line. may be employed, thus enabling the operator to signal selectively a two-party line in which one substation is connected between each line limb and the ground.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the mechanical construction of a preferred embodiment of my invention will be made apparent. In these figures the same reference characters are employed, so far as they apply. In these figures I have illus trated a base plate 54 adapted to be set into a suitable recess in the key shelf of a telephone switch board. To this base plate is attached a suitable metal frame 55, by means of the screws 56, 56. The base'plate, together with this frame 55, serves to support need not be described with greater detail.

The contact springs more spec fically 1llUS- trated in Fig. 3 are supported by the frame and are given the reference characters already applied to them in Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 illustrates in detail the contact springs for the ringing key 0. the connec' tions of these contact springs being as indicated in Fig. 4. Thebuttons 58, 59, and 61 are provided for th'evarious sets of ringing contact springs, each button comprising a hard rubber linger piece, a metallic slide (as, for instance. (32, 63. 64 or 65) and a hard rubber wedge (as, for instance, 66, 67, 68 or 69). Each button is provided also with a downwardly ext-ending guide bar 7 0, this guide bar being raised at T1 for the reception of an associated guide pin 72, tie

portunitv affords, as will hereinafter be more fully understood. A compound latch 74 is provided, this latch being formed of a piece-pf bent sheetmetal and having side bars 75 and 76 connected together by means of the latching bar-s77. 77. The compound latch is provided at either end with an ad- ;ditional cross rod 78 for engagement by the springs 79 and 80, these springs exerting a pressure in the direction indicated by the arrow 81. Upon depressing. for instance. the button 60 of. ringing key C, the ratchet tooth S2 of the slide 64 engages the cross bar 77 pushing the same to the left against the tension of the springs 79 and 80. Vhcn the upper face of the ratchet tooth has passed below the lower edge of the latching bar 77, the bar. together with the entire compound latch. will move to the right. the

bar resting within the notch 83 of the slide. F

The button may be depressed thus far Without causing an actuation of the contact springs and 41. The movement of this extent serves merely tobring the wedge into engagement with the contact springs so that a further depression of the button (50 wedges these springs apart, thereby causing the movable contact springs to disengage the inner contact springs, thereby interrupting the continuity of the cross strands and connecting the desired source of ringing current with the telephone line to be called. Upon removing the pressure from the tip of the button 60, the small spring 73 raises the button sufficiently to permit the movable contact springs to return to their normal position, as shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the upper edge of the ratchet tooth 83 engages the lower side of the associated latching bar 77, thus preventing further upward mode ment. This leaves the button which has last been actuated in a partially depressed position so that if the called subscriber does not answer his signal, as will be indicated, for instance,'upon the operators supervisory signal, not shown, the operator may again dep ress this button to its full extent, thereby connecting the source of signaling current again with the line, the partial depression of the button in this case indicating to the operator without. hephaving to remember it which of the subs line has been signaled. The last operated button will remain in this partially depressed position indicating which of the substations has been called until some other button, as forinstance (i1, is actuated, whereupon the button (30 last depressed is released as the latch ,Tet ismoved to the left upon engagement of the tooth 8% of the button (ll with the'corresponding latching bar 77.

' l he button 61 will in turn, however, be held.

in its depressed position after the tooth passes beyond the latching bar and said latching bar engages in the groove 83. Openings 85 and 86 through the vertical standards 55 accommodate the latch frame 74 to allow this longitudinal motion thereof.

In Fig. 5 is shown a modified form of button which is cylindrical instead of flattened although its operation is similar to that of the flattened button. In bot-h buttons the apex of the tooth 84 does not reach to the edge of the button and therefore upon release ofone button upon depression of another the latching bar at the released button will engage the shoulder'84t"below the tooth 8e and will rest in the notch 85 to prevent further upward movement of the utton. Upon sufficient motion of the latch frame toward the left, however, so that the corresponding latching bar will clear the shoulder 85' any of the buttons may be'withdrawn from the key frame.

While I have herein described a preferred tations upon the called position, means embodiment of my invention, it. will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications may be used without departing from the spirit of my invention. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the precise constrl'iction herein shown, but

Having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent 1. In a switching apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons mounted thereon, switch springs for each button adapted upon depression thereof to be actuated thereby, a latch frame for said buttons, means upon depression of a button for moving said latch frame to lock said button inits depressed position, means for subsequently allowing actuation of said button to ing mechanism without movement of said latching frame and means for releasing an actuated button from'its depressed position.

In an electrical switching apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons mounted thereon, switch springs for each button, a common latching frame for all of said buttons, ineans upon release after depression of any button for causing motion of said latching frame to lock the actuated button in a partially depressed position, and means upon depression of another button for moving said latching frame to lock said other button in position and to release the first actuated button.

'3. Inan electrical switching apparatus, the. combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons mounted thereon, switching mechanism for each but ton adapted upon actuation thereof to be actuated thereby, a latching frame common to all of said buttons, means upon depression of one button for causing longitudinal motion of said latching frame whereby said frame will lock said button in its depressed whereby said depressed button may subsequently be further depressed to actuate its switching mechanism without causing further motion of said latching frame, and means upon depression of another button for causing similar actuation of said latching frame whereby said other button is locked in its depressed position and the first actuated button released to return to its normal osition.

4. n an electrical switching apparatus. the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of buttons mounted thereon. switching mechanism below each button, a tooth on each button, a commonlatching -f frame through which said buttons pass, a

latching bar on said latching frame for each tooth, means upon partial depression of av button for causing the corresponding latching bar to engage over-the tooth of the button whereby sald butter. is held in its partooth of said other buttonto engage below position, and means upon the corresponding latching bar whereby said 1 other button is locked against return to normal position, depression of said other button causing motion of said latching frame to release the latching bar from the first button whereby said first button may return to its normal position only complete actuation of a button causing actuation of the corresponding switching mechanism.

5. In an electrical switching apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons mounted therein, switching mechanism below each button, springs tending to hold said buttons in a normal upper position, a tooth. on each button, and a common latching bar for said buttons, depression of a buttoncausing the corresponding tooth to be engaged by the latching bar whereby said button is held in a partially depressed position, depression of a second but-ton causing engagement of its tooth with the latching bar whereby said second button is locked in a partially depressed position and whereby said latching bar is moved to release the first actuated button further depression of a button from its partially depressed position causing actu-.

ation of the corresponding switching mechanism.

(5. In an electricahswitching apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a'plurality of actuating buttons mounted therein, switching mechanism below each toothadapted to be actuated thereby upon depression thereof, a tooth on each button, a notch above the tooth on each button, a common latching frame for said buttons, and a latch bar extending from said frame for each button and normally disposed below said toot-h. depression of a button causing the corresponding tooth to move the latching frame whereby the corresponding latching bar engages in said notch over the tooth whereby said button is locked in its depressed position, said notch allowing further depression of said button independently of said latching frame to move the latching bar of the first button from engagement with the tooth thereof whereby said button may be returned to its normal position, said second actuated button being also looked in its depressed position by said latching frame.

7. In an electrical switching device, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons adapted for vertical reciprocation within openings in said frame, switching mechanism mounted on said supporting frame below each button, a tooth on each button, a notch on each button abm'e the tooth thereof, a second notch on each button below the tooth thereof, a common latching frame adapted to reitudinally on said supporting frame, a latch ar on said latching frame for each button, springs normally tending to hold said buttons in an upper position, spring means normally causing said latching bars to engage in the lower notches of the buttons, depression of one button causing its tooth to move the latching frame longitudinally whereby the corresponding latching bar will engage in the notch above the tooth of the actuated button whereby said button will be locked in a partially depressed position without actuation of switch mechanism, actuation of another button ciprocate lon -causing similar actuation of the latching frame whereby said other button is locked in a partially depressed position and whereby the latching bar at the first button is released from the tooth thereof, whereby said first button may be returned to its normal position and means for allowing further actuation of the button to actuate the corresponding switch mechanisms.

8. In an operators ringing key, the combination with a suitable supporting frame, of a plurality of vertically reciprocating plungers and a plurality of switch springs carried by said frame, each of said plungers having three distinct positions, a normal position, an intermediate position and an operative position, said plungers being adapted to actuate said springs when in the last mentioned position to put ringing current upon the line, and means for releasing any one of said plungers from the intermediate position when any other of said plungers is moved to the operative position.

9. In an operators ringing key, the combination with a suitable supporting frame, of a plurality of vertically reciprocating carried by said frame, each of said plungers having three distinct positions, a normal position, an intermediate position and an operative position, said plungers being adapted to actuate said springs when in the last mentioned position to put ringing current upon the line, and means for releasing any one of said plungers from the intermediate position when any other of said plungers is moved to the intermediate position.

10. In a switching apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons mounted thereon, switch springs below each button, lockmg means for said buttons, means upon partial depression of a button for moving said locking means to lock said button in its partial depressed position, means for subsequently allowing complete depression of said button to actuate the associated switch springs without causing movement of the locking mechanism and means for releasing an actuated button from its partially depressed position.

plungers and a plurality of switch springs rality of actuatin 11. In a switching apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame; I of a plubuttons mounted thereon, SW-ltCh' springs beIow each button, a common locking means forall of said bhttons,means'= upon-partial :depression of' any button for causing motion of 'said locking means to lock theactuated button in itspartial l ydepressed position, and means upon partial depression of another buttonon moving said locking means to lock said other button in its partially depressed position and to release the first actuated'button, further depression of any button from its partially depressed position causing actuation of the associated switch springs.

12. In a switching apparatus, the com bination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons mounted thereon, switch springs for each button,

locking mechanism for the buttons, means upon initial depression of a button for causing simultaneous aetuationlof the locking mechanism to lock the depressed button in a partially depressed position, means for allowing further actuation of the button independently of the locking mechanism to actuate the associated switch springs, and means for releasing an actuated button from its partially depressed position.

13. In a switching apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pluralityof actuating buttons mounted thereon,

switch springs for each button, locking mechanism for the buttons, means upon initial depression of abutton for causing simultaneous actuation of the locking mechanism to lock the depressed button in a partially depressed position, means for allowing further actuation of the button independently of the locking mechanism to actuate the assgiated switch springs, and means upon initial depressionof a second button for actuating the locking mechanism to release the first button from its intermediate position.

14. In a switch apparatus, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons mounted thereon, switch mechanism for the buttons, ratchet mechanism associated with the buttons, initial depression of a button causing actuation of the ratchet mechanism to lock the button against return to its normal position, means for allowing further depression of the button independently of the ratchet mechanism to enga e the switching mechanism, release of the, utton from the switch mechanism causing said button to return to its locked position, actuation of a second button causing movement of the ratchet mechanism to release the first button to return it to its normal position and to lock the second button against release to its normal position.

15. In an operators key, the combination with euch aetuatin'g member to operate the corresponding switch springs when such actuating member is moved to its operative positiom .1 16. In. an operatorskey, the combinatioin of a plurality ofactuating members, each having a normal position, an indicating position, and an operative position, switch springs associated with each actuating memher, an operating element associated with eachactuating member to operate the corresponding switch springs when such actuating member is moved to its operative position, and means for retaining an actuated member in its indicating position, the operation of one of such actuating members serving to release a previously actuated member.

17. In an operators key, the combination of a plurality of actuating members, each having a normal position, an indicating position, and an operative position, switch springs associated with each actuating memher, an operating element associated with each actuating member to operate the corresponding switch springs when such actuating member is moved to its operative position, and means for causing one of such members when operated to assume and remain in an indicating position, until the operation of another of such members.

18. In an operators key, the combination of a plurality of actuating members, each having a normal position, an indicating po-' sition, and an operative position, switch springs associated with each actuating member, an operating element associated with each actuating member to operate the corresponding switch springs when such actuating member is moved to its operative position, and meansfor causing one of such members when operated to assume and remain in an indicating position, until the operation of another of such members, the operation ofsueh other member adapted to restore to its normal position the member first operated.

19. In an operators ringing key, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of actuating buttons, each having three distinct positions, a normal position, an indicating position, and an operative position switch springs associated with each button, a cam adapted to be operated by each button when in its operative position, to operate the corresponding switch springs and means for releasing an actuated button from its indicating position.

20. In an operators ringing key,'the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality ofactuatingbuttons, each having three distinct positions, a normal position, release from such plate a previously act-u- 10 an indicating position, and an operative pos1- ated button.

tion, switch springs associated with each but- In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe I ton, a cam adapted to be operated by each my name this 18th day of May A. D. 1904. button when in its operative position to op- T crate the corresponding switch springs, and MERRITT CONBER a latch plate for retaining an actuated but- Witnesses:

ton in an indicating position, the operation A. J MAHON,

of one of said actuating buttons serving to H. E. BALL. 

